Please vote to show me your support for the story. The higher we climb in the rankings, the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.
#More than 10 chapters ahead on my Patreon: leave a review; it helps me a lot and lets me know how many people are invested in the future of this novel!!!}
~~~
[64]
The equaliser jolted Bayern like a splash of cold water, and their bench stirred immediately, with Hansi Flick barking orders. Within moments, the fourth official's board was raised as the players who had been warming up joined them on the sidelines.
---
Substitutions – 64:Off: Coman, Müller, Boateng, Goretzka
On: Perišić, Thiago Alcântara, Javi Martínez, Lucas Hernández
---
The rhythm of the match changed the instant the substitutions were complete. With Thiago now orchestrating from the centre, Bayern looked less frantic, despite things being levelled. The Spaniard's boots seemed to slow time as he manoeuvred past his makers, allowing his teammates to breathe and reorganise.
He battled with Aranguiz in midfield, trying to create attacking opportunities for their teammates. In the 66th minute, after escaping the latter's marking with a one-two passing sequence, Kimmich sent a raking through-ball up the right flank. Perišić managed to slip his marker by hugging the touch line, sending Bailey chasing after him.
[67]
The Croatian winger's first touch was immaculate, cushioning the ball as he thundered down the right flank into Leverkusen's defensive third. Bailey chased hard, but Perišić's strength allowed him to hold his ground. With one quick glance into the box, he spotted Lewandowski ghosting between Tapsoba and Bender.
The cross came fizzing in, low and powerful, but Hrádecký anticipated the danger and launched himself across his goalmouth, smothering it before the Polish striker could pounce. The keeper bounced up quickly, raced to the edge of the box, and threw it up the right flank. Demirbay picked up possession in the middle third, chesting it down to Wirtz, who was waiting patiently near the touchline.
The teenager trapped the ball under his studs and immediately sent it up the line towards Rakim. The winger picked it up just past the halfway line with Davis and Javi Martínez closing in from the middle. He didn't hold onto the ball, though; instead, he flicked it inwards past Martínez into the feet of Aranguiz.
The midfielder dribbled forward a couple of paces before sending it wide into the feet of Bailey. "Oh, oh, things could get dicey if the Brazilian gets room to work," Derek exclaimed as the wingback surged inwards, drawing nearby defenders as he surged into the final third.
His surge sent alarm bells ringing through Bayern's defensive line. Lucas Hernández, barely settled into the match, rushed across to close down the space, but Bailey had already spotted his target. With a delicate touch, he rolled the ball back to Wirtz, who had cut inwards, drifting between Bayern's midfield and defensive lines.
The young German's first touch was sublime, killing the pace of the ball with the outside of his right foot. Thiago, recognising the danger, pressed forward to close him down, but Wirtz was already moving. A quick shoulder drop to the left sold the veteran midfielder completely, and suddenly the teenager had carved out three yards of precious space in the most dangerous area of the pitch.
As he had everyone's attention, he spotted Rakim moving to make a run into the box now that Davis was moving to block him. Not hesitating, he lofted the ball over the charging Alaba, stopping him in his tracks as he attempted to hop. It was for nought as he couldn't generate enough upward momentum and could only watch it sail above him.
Rakim's eyes lit up as he watched the ball arc gracefully through the air, his breathing steady as he raced towards its landing point. Neuer was also rushing out, but he could already tell he would reach it first as he increased his speed. Stretching his left boot out toward the ball's landing spot, he flicked it onto his right foot as he side-stepped toward the near post.
Neuer reacted accordingly, his stance lowering as he shifted to his left, stretching his arms to further tighten the angle. Instead of trying to dribble around him, he let the ball hit the ground once and then took it on the bounce. His right foot generated torque, powering through the ball, blasting it to the near top corner.
The strike cracked like a gunshot as Neuer's instincts took him high to his left, fingertips straining to deflect the ball. He managed to get a touch to it, but there was too much power, sending his arm flying backwards. The ball whistled past him, kissed the underside of the crossbar before cannoning into the back of the net.
The roar that should have shaken the BayArena never came—only the echo of players shouting and the hollow thump of boots pounding against the turf. Rakim sprinted toward the corner flag, fists clenched, unleashing a guttural shout that cut through the silence. His teammates were on him instantly, joining in his celebrations.
[Leverkusen 1–1 Bayern | Alario 70']
Derek Rae's voice thundered through the broadcast. "A sensational strike! Rakim Rex, the teenager with ice in his veins, lifts Leverkusen into the lead against Bayern Munich! Neuer got a hand to it, but the sheer venom of that strike proved unstoppable!"
Stewart Robson's tone was admiring but cautious. "I wouldn't call it a world-class hit, Derek, but the sheer power and technique behind that strike was enough to get the job done. However, the hardest part now comes. Scoring is one thing; holding a lead against Bayern is another entirely. Leverkusen must keep their composure, or this game will turn again."
[71]
The goal had shifted the entire complexion of the match. Bayern's players stood with hands on their hips, processing what had just transpired, while Hansi Flick prowled his technical area like a caged animal. The German coach's animated gestures toward his players were unmistakable – they needed to respond immediately, and with conviction.
Thiago collected the ball from the centre circle, his experienced eyes scanning the field as Leverkusen's players settled back into their defensive shape. The Spaniard's touch was delicate as he rolled it sideways to Kimmich, who had dropped deeper to provide an outlet. The rhythm Bayern had established with their substitutions seemed momentarily disrupted by the shock of conceding.
However, it did not take them long to regain their momentum as they moved the ball amid their own ranks. Kimmich sent the ball back to Lucas Hernández, who received it crisply, allowing their ranks to move up steadily. The French defender stepped forward with the ball at his feet as Leverkusen's front line pressed moderately, careful not to leave gaps behind them.
The defender's cross-field pass found Perišić hugging the right touchline, with Bailey tracking him diligently. The Croatian winger's first touch was heavy, allowing Bailey to close the distance and force him back toward his own half. Perišić didn't panic, though. Instead, he laid the ball back to Kimmich, who had continued his forward run and was now positioned just inside Leverkusen's half.
The Bayern midfielder's touch was swift, dragging the ball onto his stronger right foot before threading a pass between Aranguiz and Demirbay. The pass found Lewandowski had been prowling the edge of the penalty area, with his back to Bender. He absorbed the pass, letting his frame lean against his marker as he held Bender off with the sheer strength of his frame.
The Polish striker angled his body, shielding the ball as he waited for support. With one deft touch, he rolled it sideways into the path of Thiago, who had ghosted upfield. The Spaniard, calm as if he had all the time in the world, clipped a curling ball toward the far post. Perišić had peeled away from Bailey, timing his run to perfection.
Rising high, the Croatian winger angled a firm header down toward the bottom corner. Hrádecký flung himself to his right, fingertips grazing the ball, doing just enough to veer it past the post.
[73]
The scare rattled Leverkusen. Hrádecký stayed on the ground a moment longer, chest heaving, before slamming the turf in frustration. His defenders rushed to reorganise, barking at each other as Bayern's white shirts gathered for another corner. Kimmich placed the ball carefully, his eyes fixed on the six-yard box, looking for areas to exploit.
Taking a deep breath following the referee's signal, he lifted his right hand before promptly closing in on the ball. His foot cracked like a whip as the ball curled menacingly into the penalty area, dipping toward the crowded near post.
.
.
.
.
To Be Continued...